Mass Unrest in Ukraine Amid Supposed Tug of War Between EU, Russia

With the emerging conflict between the EU and Russia, massive protests rocked the streets of Ukraine, and its capital, Kiev, in recent days.

In the midst of a supposed tug-of-war between two giant powers — the emerging Brussels-based European Union super-state and Vladimir Putin’s Russian government — massive protests rocked the streets of Ukraine and its capital, Kiev, in recent days. The oftentimes violent demonstrations, elements of which are aimed at deposing the current regime, came after Ukrainian authorities ditched controversial negotiations for closer trade relations with the EU in favor of an even more controversial tighter alliance with Moscow.

Amid the escalating turmoil, some analysts have suggested that there is mass deception at work — an effort to mislead the people of Ukraine with two orchestrated alternatives: closer links with Moscow, or deeper ties with the increasingly out-of-control entity ruling over much of Europe. Apparently being a sovereign nation and trading with all willing partners is not on the menu. Meanwhile, as part of a long-running trend in geopolitics, Kremlin-linked globalist voices are again calling for more “integration” between Russian authorities and the EU.

The latest round of unrest in Ukraine, the worst in almost a decade, began late last month when President Viktor Yanukovych’s government announced that it was backing out of talks with the EU. Yanukovych, a former member of the Communist Party during the Soviet era, remains closely affiliated with Moscow, which reportedly exerted strong pressure on Ukrainian officials to scrap the EU deal. Shortly after the announcement, though, tens of thousands of furious protesters swamped government buildings and clashed with police.

The so-called “Association Agreement” between the Ukrainian government and the sovereignty-crushing European bloc would have, among other developments, eased trade restrictions while showering IMF and EU taxpayer funds on Ukraine — with “strings” attached, of course. While it was not guaranteed, supporters of “integration” with the super-state in Brussels hoped the apparently defunct deal would have put the Ukrainian government on the road to full EU membership. Authorities in numerous other former Soviet-controlled Eastern European nations have already joined.

Instead of the EU deal, however, Yanukovych and his allies decided to pursue closer alignment with the Kremlin, which is working to build its own “Customs Union” transnational integration scheme with former Soviet-dominated countries. After the massive protests, Yanukovych said he was willing to “reconsider” talks with the EU, but analysts broadly suspect that unless his regime resigns or is ousted from power, Kiev will remain under Russian influence — at least for the foreseeable future. A bid in Parliament to oust the current Ukrainian leadership was narrowly rejected this week.

As the unrest escalated, Yanukovych took off for an official visit to the communist dictatorship ruling mainland China. Under heavy financial pressure and crushing debt, analysts claim the Ukrainian government and the nation itself need to borrow more money — whether from the West, Russia, or China, which has already lent it billions. Banks and ratings agencies commenting on the growing uproar in Ukraine largely warned of further risks to the economy, government bonds, and the hryvnia currency.

The JBS Weekly Member Update offers activism tips, new educational tools, upcoming events, and JBS perspective. Every Monday this e-newsletter will keep you informed on current action projects and offer insight into news events you won't hear from the mainstream media.

Receive the latest updates from The John Birch Society. Learn about our national grassroots movement with 50 years of successes.